How can caregivers successfully manage eldercare and self-care? The first steps in finding help during the rollercoaster that is caregiving can be the most stressful ones. EFAP’s Eldercare Expert shares some of the most often asked about services and supports available below. 

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There are two main “streams” of help available to caregivers: the public and the private systems. In the public system, services are provided through your local health authority or health unit. In the private system, services are available for a fee and not covered by subsidies.

Assessment

Start with talking to your physician about the changes you are seeing in your parent. If your physician suspects dementia, your parent may be referred to a dementia clinic, a hospital inpatient or outpatient assessment unit, a geriatric mental team, or a geriatric psychiatrist. These are medical assessments, rather than an assessment of support and service needs.

Needs assessment and care planning

A Care Manager can conduct a needs assessment for you, and this can be done through both the public and private systems. This will help you determine what kinds of services are needed, where to find them, and how to implement them. Start with an appointment through EFAP’s Eldercare Coach for an initial assessment to look at the full range of your needs. Eldercare coaches can explain the system, the options, and will help you find and coordinate all of the services available to you.

Companionship and personal care

Home Care companies provide services such as help with bathing, dressing, medication, shopping, cooking, and housekeeping. You may be eligible for some Home Support through the public system, and you can also hire a company privately or combine the services from both streams. Home Care companies provide hourly or round the clock help. Some have minimum hours per week or per shift, and they also vary according to price and quality. Before contacting a Home Care company, make a list of what you or your loved one needs help with. We recommend that you interview at least two agencies, and remember, you are the employer – you get to ask the questions and set the boundaries of what you want.

Adult Day Centres

These are mostly publicly funded programs that pick up participants in the morning, bring them to a program, provide a meal and recreation, and bring them home in the afternoon. These always include a nurse on staff.

Mobility and home safety

Home health equipment companies provide wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, etc., and they can retrofit your home with railings, lifts, ramps etc. It is important to note that you can rent, buy, or rent-to-own this equipment as well. It is often helpful to have a physiotherapist or occupational therapist do an assessment of your home before you call a home health equipment company.

Seniors housing

When you investigate seniors housing, you may hear terms such as “independent living” or “supportive living,” “assisted living,” “nursing homes” or “extended care.” These terms and meanings vary but they generally refer to the amount of help available in each setting – think of it as being a continuum from least amount of help to full care. There are seniors housing in both the public and private sector with a tremendous variation in quality, size and cost. An expensive private residence is not necessarily better than a public facility, some of the best and most compassionate care we have seen has been through the public sector.

Drivers

Companies that specialize in driving seniors and people with disabilities cost more than a taxi but they also do a lot more – they take seniors to appointments, accompany them shopping, unpack groceries, etc. With repeated outings, these drivers build a relationship with their clients.

Meals

There are several companies that provide nutritious and tasty frozen meals that can be ordered by phone or online. Public programs such as “Meals on Wheels” deliver food, while others like “Wheels to Meals” bring individuals to a Centre to have a communal meal. Many Senior Centres provide inexpensive and nutritious hot meals. Additionally, we sometimes recommend the frozen meals available in any supermarket – they have come a long way from the tater tots and frozen peas of the 1960’s TV dinners!

Safety monitoring and alarm systems

There are several companies that provide alarm systems that can be activated by pressing a single button or are automatic in the case of a fall. Some companies also provide visual monitoring, or can monitor if medication is taken. When there is a problem detected in any area, the monitoring company will alert you.

Problem solving and counselling

Counsellors are sometimes available on a limited basis through the public system and non-profit agencies. Counsellors offered through EFAP’s Eldercare program can help you work through some of the tough decisions you may have to make. These Counsellors can help you with the emotional implications of eldercare such as grief, loss, stress, coping, guilt and transition as well as practical issues such as mediation, family meetings, and care planning.

Support groups

Caregiver information and support groups are available through both the public system and the disease-specific organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Society, Parkinson’s Foundation, and Arthritis Society. These groups are essential in helping caregivers cope and providing up to date information on the disease, while also offering emotional support.

By now you have the picture– there are dozens and dozens of different services available to seniors and caregivers. For more information please call EFAP at 1-800-505-4929.

Printed with permission from EFAP’s provider and Expert Peter Silin, MSW, RSW, CCC from Diamond Geriatrics, Taking the confusion out of Eldercare.